Packers select USC DE/OLB Nick Perry At Pick #28 Round One 2012 Draft

[woodbuck27]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/149171405.html

Packers select USC DE/OLB Nick Perry

By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
Updated: 11:51 p.m


Double trouble


"Green Bay -- The Green Bay Packers turned to a familiar place to revive their hurting pass rush --- Southern California. With the 28th overall pick, the Green Bay Packers have taken Nick Perry.

In Perry, the Packers see upside. He was a defensive end in college. And Perry was frank at the NFL scouting combine in saying he'd rather play with his hand in the dirt. But Green Bay sees an athletic, physical freak who will fit in as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

"He's got that kind of juice," general manager Ted Thompson said. "We're looking forward to giving Kevin (Greene) and Dom (Capers) and seeing what we can do. He'll jump in with our guys and compete with our guys and we'll see how he steps up."

Please click on the LINK above for the entire story.

GO Ted Thompson ! GO PACKERS !

[Lurker64]

Brian Orakpo: 6030, 263, 4.63 forty, 1.56 ten, 31 reps, 39.5" vert, 130" broad, 4.45 shuttle, 7.25 cone.
Nick Perry: 6026, 271, 4.64 forty, 1.57 ten, 35 reps, 38.5" vert, 124"broad, 4.66 shuttle, 7.25 cone.

A lot of people around here liked Brian Orakpo at #9 in 2009, so they should be ecstatic with Perry at #28. That's not saying that Perry is as good as Orakpo right now, you actually need to teach him the leverage game that Orakpo is good at, but if the Packers are anything it's a good teaching team and I have no doubt that he could master the art.

[wist43]

He didn't look like a very happy camper when he heard that GB had selected him. He wanted to play DE in the NFL, but he really does have greater value as a hybrid.

I was surprised by the pick.

[Joemailman]

Sounds like 271 was Perry's combine weight, but his playing weight was in the 250's. He probably bulked up for the Combine to show he had the size to play DE while maintaining athleticism. I would expect him to play between 255-260.

[Bretsky]

He didn't look like a very happy camper when he heard that GB had selected him. He wanted to play DE in the NFL, but he really does have greater value as a hybrid.

I was surprised by the pick.

Perhaps you were surprised because TT didn't take offense ?

Regardless we should be at least content. We're on the brink and TT picked somebody would could help this defense

I listed to him speak; I think he is incredibly happy GB picked him. He was disappointed he didn't go earlier but GB was the first team to call him to let him know they may select him

[SkinBasket]

God, I miss those posters who used to post useful information from multiple paid sources about our draft picks. This is embarrassing. Reposted JSO articles?

[Tony Oday]

I still cqnt believe we didn't go WR...

[Deputy Nutz]

He didn't look like a very happy camper when he heard that GB had selected him. He wanted to play DE in the NFL, but he really does have greater value as a hybrid.

I was surprised by the pick.

More money to be made as a defensive end in the NFL, look at the franchise tags for defensive ends versus outside linebackers. I think that is the only reason he wants to play defensive end in the NFL.

[Brandon494]

If I had to choose a current player in the NFL to compare him to it would be Woodley of the Steelers. Remember this guy went up against the top tackle in the draft during every practice at USC and also played against some of the best OTs in college football. With teams having to focus on Clay I could see this guy getting 6-10 sacks his rookie season which is just want we need.

[3irty1]

From National Football Post

What I like…

- Displays the ability to coil up into his stance, keep his base under him, back flat and take a positive first step off the football.

- Eats up grass well initially, getting on top of opposing tackles quickly in the pass game.

- Possesses the first step to threaten the edge and demonstrates some savvy to his game setting up his outside speed rush.

- Extends his long arms well into contact and showcases a little know how of when to work the club/chop in order to keep himself clean on the edge. Can be violent on contact.

- Possesses good length for his size, is a long armed kid who maximizes his length well into contact.

- Showcases some natural power when he's trying to turn the corner through contact. Has a stronger lower half, works hard in pursuit and showcases a good motor fighting his way past tackles.

- Does a nice job working the edge and using his length to wrap on the quarterback when closing in pursuit.

- Showcases some suddenness when trying to change directions and keep himself clean toward the corner.

- Has slightly above-average power on his bull rush, extends his inside arm well into contact, can knock opposing tackles off balance and work his legs hard through contact.

- Exhibits better natural anchor strength vs. the run game than given credit for.

- Keeps his pad level down well off the snap, has an explosive first step and a powerful punch on contact.

- Uses his length well to shed on slide down blocks, finds the football well and has some range when asked to close.

- Was productive as a junior finishing with 9.5 sacks and showing well vs. some of the best offensive tackle prospects in the country.

What I don't like…

- Is a slightly tighter pass rusher who struggles to really drop his pad level around the edge, sink his hips and flatten out under tackles.

- Too often is easily pushed past the pocket and eliminated from the play due to higher pad level.

- Isn't real sudden off his speed rush on any type of change of direction move. There isn't a real quick/sudden element to his game back inside.

- Gets upright through contact, doesn't play as strong as he could because of pad level and makes it tough on himself to disengage once a lineman gets their hands on him.

- His pass rushing arsenal is limited, looks more like a one trick pony who is only real confident working the speed rush. Will sprinkle in the bull or the inside rush at times, but doesn't have a "go to" change up.

- Gets upright vs. the run game when trying to play off blocks. Fails to sit into his base and keep his feet under him, allowing lineman to wash him from the play too easily.


Impression: Exhibits the first step to be a threat off the edge, however struggles to drop his pad level when flattening out. Plus, he doesn't have much of a counter to his game at this point. Nevertheless, has some obvious talent and is a guy you would expect to start as a rush backer in a 34 scheme and be a productive threat off the edge.

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[3irty1]

Pass rush: Has very good first step quickness and does a nice job in space. Has the footwork, body control and fluidity to quickly change directions. Does a nice job elevating and getting his hands up to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage. Works hard to collapse the pocket with a relentless motor. Brings aggressive playing style on every snap and doesn't quit. Lacks elite size and length -- undersized and can be swallowed by larger blockers. Run defense: Read/reacts quickly with good awareness and recognition skills to chase down the play from different angles. Understands leverage and does a nice job staying balanced, getting lower than blockers and underneath their pads, usually attracting holding penalties. Explosion: A quick, flexible
athlete with sharp burst off the snap. Shows the natural bend and coordination to dip his shoulder and consistently win the edge. Doesn't always time-up his explosion and isn't a sudden pass rusher. Strength: Uses his powerful upper body and hands to force his way into the pocket. Does a nice job swatting blocker's hands/arms with his violent, active hands. Struggles to disengage at the point of attack and will never be the strongest on the field -- functional strength is a question mark. Tackling: Plays smart and disciplined, staying at home and restraining from biting on fakes -- listens and applies coaching. Good hand strength to secure tackles. Lacks ideal arm length, but works hard to wrap and tackle through the ballcarrier. Intangibles: Projects best as a stand up linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level, but doesn't have much experience in this area and there could be a learning curve -- can he play with his hand on the ground at the next level? Lined up in both the two and three-point stance in college. Has good production on his resume, capping off his career with a strong junior season, leading the Pac-12 in sacks. Has questionable instincts when asked to drop in coverage. Appears fatigued late in games and needs to show better conditioning. -- Dane Brugler

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[PaCkFan_n_MD]

This video has me a little worried once they start talking about his 20 yard shuttle. We will see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tbyy8u2gV0

[3irty1]

OVERALL FOOTBALL TRAITS
Production 2 "2008: Redshirt 2009: (13/1) -- 54-13-9.5. 2010: (12/9) -- 25-7.5-4. 2011: (12/12) -- 24-9-8. Career: (2008-11) -- 6 PBUs, 5 FF, 2 FR. "
Height-Weight-Speed 2 Slightly below average in terms of height and arm length (33). Displays an excellent blend of bulk and top-end speed for position. Hand size is on the smaller side (9 1/2').
Durability 1 "Suffered a high ankle sprain during preseason camp in 2011. However, has not missed playing time throughout his career due to injury. "
Intangibles 2 Entered USC as one of the nations' highly regarded recruits. He is a hard worker who puts in solid effort in the weight room. Respected by coaches and teammates.
1 = EXCEPTIONAL2 = ABOVE AVERAGE3 = AVERAGE4 = BELOW AVERAGE5 = MARGINAL
DEFENSIVE END SPECIFIC TRAITS
Pass Rush Skills 2 Displays good but not elite first-step quickness and flashes ability to gain the edge. He has very active and violent hands but can improve with technique in this area. Shows ability to dip inside shoulder when attempting to shave the edge however torso flexibility is just average. Stays low out of stance allowing him to play with good overall leverage. Also shows the quick-twitched explosiveness to dial up an effective speed-to-power bull rush and can get blockers on their heels. Flashes a spin-move but needs to show a wider array of pass rushing moves. Developing an effective inside change-up move would increase his value in this department substantially. Displays an above-average closing burst to get home when able to turn the corner.
Versus the run 2 Possesses very good core strength and is stout at the point of attack. Plays with leverage and flashes an explosive punch to shock and stack blockers. Also shows ability to reset feet and anchor when caught in a phone booth. Flashes quick hands but can improve in this department and doesn't always shed blocks in a timely manner. Lacks an elite anchor against double teams and will turn pads on occasion instead of staying square. Displays above-average lateral quickness and closing burst providing him with a wide range. Can close from the backside and has shown ability to deliver a heavy hit as a tackler.
Versatility 2 Possesses the quickness and pass-rushing capability to line up at RDE in a base 4-3 front but may need to add a few pounds to frame. Also has the athleticism and fluidity in space to transition to an OLB for a base 3-4 defense.
Instincts/Motor 3 "Can be a second late with his diagnosis find the ball at the snap. However, does flash playmaking instincts once able to locate the ball. He is more instinctive as a pass-rusher than as a run defender at this point. Surprisingly shows good awareness for passing lanes when dropping into coverage. Motor is adequate but he can improve effort from a play-to-play basis. In particular can show more hustle when chasing from the backside in the run game. "
1 = EXCEPTIONAL2 = ABOVE AVERAGE3 = AVERAGE4 = BELOW AVERAGE5 = MARGINAL

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[George Cumby]

Here's TT:

http://www.packers.com/media-center/videos/Thompson-Perry-was-impressive-at-the-Combine/30665ac7-04f6-45c3-88eb-2b0bcd288ed9

When asked about Perry's attitude and transitioning to OLB from DE, TT gets that "cat that ate the canary" smirk and says "He's good to go." We've seen that smirk before (Jordy Nelson) and it bodes well......

[3irty1]

I already made it known how thrilled I'd be with this pick. Perry is the most explosive pass rusher to be selected so far in the draft and has an impressive pac-12 resume. Physically he is nearly exactly what you want at ROLB. Perry made it known that he is more comfortable playing with his hand in the dirt hence bulking way up to play DE. If he does prove to be more effective that way Dom can start using the 3-3 instead of the 2-4 as our default nickel like he did when we were playing Kampman at OLB. The Brian Orakpo comparison is fair for now but I expect Perry to cash in some of that size for more speed and flexibility at his new position. I'm not sure where he'll fit in for the base defense his rookie year but he should be an impact rookie even if all he does is rush the passer in the 2-4/3-3.

Proposed nickname: "The Governor of Defense"

Get it?